The Astros continued preparations for the 2007 season today as pitchers and catchers completed another workout this morning at the Osceola County Stadium complex in Kissimmee, Fla...because of cold weather, each of the last three Astros workouts began one hour later, at 10:30 p.m...beginning tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 20), workouts for the club's 27 pitchers and six catchers in camp will begin at the normal time of 9:30 a.m...

Chris Burke & Jason Lane report early as the PItchers and Catchers continue their work.

EARLY REPORTERS: There are seven position players who have reported early to Astros camp...Mike Rodriguez and Brooks Conrad arrived yesterday (Sunday, Feb. 18)...five additional position players reported today, including outfielders Chris Burke, Charlton Jimerson, Jason Lane, and Luke Scott, and infielder Cody Ransom...the scheduled reporting date for position players is Wed., Feb. 21 with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22...the club's annual photo day is scheduled for Wed., Feb. 28.

QUOTES FROM EARLY REPORTERS:

"I always like to get down here early, get situated, get comfortable, catch up with the guys, and get some early work in. For me, I don't ever get on a field before I get down here. I don't get outdoors (in Louisville), so the earlier, the better for me." -Chris Burke.

"I'm always eager to get going. I like to get down here. I feel like I'm missing out even when pitchers and catchers are here. We'll hit on the field after they're (pitchers) done." -Jason Lane.

SPEED RACERS: Four Astros pitchers, right-handers Roy Oswalt, Woody Wiliams, Chad Qualls, and Brandon Backe, attended the Daytona 500 NASCAR race on Sunday in Daytona Beach, Florida.

MOUND PRESENCE: The following pitchers threw off of mounds at the Astros "10-Pack" at the Spring complex in Kissimmee today: RHP Matt Albers, RHP Dave Borkowski, RHP Paul Estrada, RHP Juan Gutierrez, RHP Lincoln Holdzkom, LHP Mark McLemore, RHP Roy Oswalt, LHP Troy Patton, LHP Wandy Rodriguez, LHP Kevin Walker, RHP Rick White, and RHP Woody Williams.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!: Happy 68th birthday to Triple A Round Rock manager Jackie Moore, who shares his birthday with former World Series MVP Dave Stewart, actor Jeff Daniels, and musician Seal.

A TRADITION UNLIKE ANY OTHER: Continuing a longtime Astros tradition, club executives made their annual steer purchase at the Osceola County Fair auction on Saturday, Feb. 17...the team purchased a 1,051-pound steer for $3.75 per pound, arriving at a final cost of $3,941.25...the steer was raised by Brittany Burns of the Silver Saddles 4-H Club, and a percentage of the purchased price will benefit a scholarship to fund Burns' future college education...as in years past, the Astros will also pay for the steer to be processed, and the food will be donated to the Osceola Children's Home...representing the club at the event were Assistant Directors of Baseball Operations Jay Edmiston and Charlie Norton.

NEW FACES IN CAMP: New pitchers in the Astros organization in 2007: RHP Miguel Asencio, RHP Jason Jennings, RHP Lincoln Holdzkom, LHP Stephen Randolph, LHP Scott Sauerbeck, LHP Kevin Walker, RHP Rick White and RHP Woody Williams...pitchers and catchers new to Major League camp are LHP Troy Patton, RHP Paul Estrada, RHP Chris Sampson and C Lou Santangelo...Sampson appeared in 12 games (3 starts) for the Astros in 2006, finishing 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA (8ER/34IP) in his Major League debut season.

GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE PLAY BEGINS MARCH 1: The Astros will travel to Winter Haven to face the Cleveland Indians on Thursday, March 1 at 1:05 p.m. in the opening game of the 2007 Grapefruit League play...the Astros will host their first game at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee vs. the Detroit Tigers in an afternoon match-up on Friday, March 2 at 1:05 p.m...once again this season, the press box at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee has full wireless internet capabilities...Houston will play 30 Spring Training games, including 28 in Florida...the Astros will play split squad games on March 29 with one team playing at Lakeland vs. Detroit at 1:05 p.m...the other squad will travel back to the Lone Star State to play an exhibition game against the Round Rock Express at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock at 7:05 p.m...the Astros will return to Houston to play a pair of exhibition games vs. the Kansas City Royals on March 30-31.